CAMP OTX's December 2023 groundwater withdrawal requests for 1) a new Lower Trinity public water supply well and 2) an increase from their currently permitted annual withdrawal limit of 85 acre feet to 270 acre feet are still pending.
This significant increase in groundwater withdrawal was contested by Friends of Hondo Canyon and the City of Bandera; both organizations were granted legal standing in September, 2024. The Bandera County Groundwater and River Authority (BCRAGD) Board voted unanimously to have the merits of this large withdrawal request heard at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). THE SOAH HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR November 5-7, 2025, and all are welcome to attend in person or by internet. The hearing will be streamed live on YOUTUBE, starting at 9 AM central time and adjourning typically by 5 PM.
https://www.youtube.com/c/stateofficeofadministrativehearings
Background: In their application, RR 417 asked to more than triple the amount of ground water the Camp is currently permitted to withdraw.
The application states the increase in water is for planned camp expansion, accommodating 2,000 campers per day during their 10 week Summer Camp Season, as well as retreats/meetings for another 40 weeks of the year.
The Camp also requested that all water use be aggregated – meaning that once the water is withdrawn, it can be used for any purpose. Friends of Hondo Canyon is concerned that this request would allow Camp OTX to secure additional groundwater to fill additional, yet-to-be-constructed man-made lakes on the Camp property. To quote from their application:
“Water is to be used for consumption at Camp OTX, for commercial purposes, irrigation (as needed), it will be plumbed into the PWS Water Supply maintained at Camp OTX, and may also be used to provide water to fill impoundments necessary for Camp OTX operation.”
TCEQ has already estimated that in a ‘bad year’ nearly 100% of the groundwater that is used to fill their existing 2 lakes could be lost to evaporation. Friends of Hondo Canyon does not feel that the business decision of RR 417 to locate and invest millions of dollars into Camp OTX in Hondo Canyon confers any right to excessively withdraw water from our stressed aquifers. Bandera County has limited groundwater resources, and this shared resource must be equitably proportioned to all.
This significant increase in groundwater withdrawal was contested by Friends of Hondo Canyon and the City of Bandera; both organizations were granted legal standing in September, 2024. The Bandera County Groundwater and River Authority (BCRAGD) Board voted unanimously to have the merits of this large withdrawal request heard at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). THE SOAH HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR November 5-7, 2025, and all are welcome to attend in person or by internet. The hearing will be streamed live on YOUTUBE, starting at 9 AM central time and adjourning typically by 5 PM.
https://www.youtube.com/c/stateofficeofadministrativehearings
Background: In their application, RR 417 asked to more than triple the amount of ground water the Camp is currently permitted to withdraw.
The application states the increase in water is for planned camp expansion, accommodating 2,000 campers per day during their 10 week Summer Camp Season, as well as retreats/meetings for another 40 weeks of the year.
The Camp also requested that all water use be aggregated – meaning that once the water is withdrawn, it can be used for any purpose. Friends of Hondo Canyon is concerned that this request would allow Camp OTX to secure additional groundwater to fill additional, yet-to-be-constructed man-made lakes on the Camp property. To quote from their application:
“Water is to be used for consumption at Camp OTX, for commercial purposes, irrigation (as needed), it will be plumbed into the PWS Water Supply maintained at Camp OTX, and may also be used to provide water to fill impoundments necessary for Camp OTX operation.”
TCEQ has already estimated that in a ‘bad year’ nearly 100% of the groundwater that is used to fill their existing 2 lakes could be lost to evaporation. Friends of Hondo Canyon does not feel that the business decision of RR 417 to locate and invest millions of dollars into Camp OTX in Hondo Canyon confers any right to excessively withdraw water from our stressed aquifers. Bandera County has limited groundwater resources, and this shared resource must be equitably proportioned to all.
Camp OTX is our neighbor. Friends of Hondo Canyon is not against the Camp or its mission, but we are concerned about the quality and quantity of water available in Hondo Canyon. We have asked for transparency. A 'blank check' for groundwater withdrawal whose use is neither documented nor explained in their application does not qualify as transparent.
